Joanna “Champion” Comes Through Again

Joanna Jedrzejczyk wanted to fight on the same card as Ronda Rousey and she got her wish at UFC 193 Saturday night.

The UFC strawweight champion showed her mettle, earning a decision victory over Valerie Letourneau to improve to 11-0 in her career. Jedrzejczyk has now won all five of her Octagon fights, and will likely meet Claudia Gadelha in 2016.

“Valerie was a tough opponent, hard opponent,” she said. “I knew it was not going to be an easy win. It can’t always be an easy win.

“I always want to fight the best. Thank you Valerie for this fight, you are a tough opponent.”

After scoring a second round finish of Carla Esparza to claim the belt, Jedrzejczyk defended her title for the first time with a third round stoppage of Jessica Penne. Letourneau, though, gave her everything she had and pushed her to the distance for the first time since a late 2014 win over Gadelha.

“I expect a very long five-round fight, but I feel great,” she said. “The preparation went so good and I am happy.”